The show that made Siskel and Ebert famous. These two Chicago-based movie critics sit around and review movies, giving either "Thumbs up" or "Thumbs down." Noted for the good-natured ... See full summary »

This series features old and new music videos, with a twist: As the video plays, "information bubbles" will "pop up" with facts about the production of the video, things contained in the ... See full summary »

Contestants, selected by calling a phone number, are chosen based on their ability to arrange 4 answers to a question in the correct order the fastest. They then have to answer 15 ... See full summary »

Storyline

James Lipton interviews some of today's most talented actors, directors and writers. In the audience are students and famous alumni of the Actors Studio's master of fine arts program. The interviewees talk about their childhood, how they got started in show business, their early career and behind-the-scenes trivia. The interview concludes with a standardized questionnaire that includes such questions as "What is your favorite word?" and "If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive?" After that, Lipton and the interviewee move to a classroom where the M.F.A. students can question the interviewee directly.Written by
Steven W. Siferd <ssiferd@aol.com>

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User Reviews

I haven't seen an enormous number of these shows, and I think the first few I saw were of genuine acting giants such as De Niro and Streep. Lipton's awed reverence seems a tad over-done but not inappropriate. But as time goes on and one sees a few people more known for being movie stars rather than notably talented actors, one can't help but notice that Lipton's attitude towards his interviewees doesn't change one iota. They all get the same, "Another of my favourite films is..." treatment.

Last week I saw the Simpsons interview (which included a clip from The Simpsons satirising Lipton's sycophancy), and I have to say it left a bad taste in the mouth. Of course, his oleaginous manner didn't change in the slightest, but at least most interviewees are given the respect of talking about their work as *actors*, whereas the poor old Simpsons cast (Dan Castellaneta, Nancy Cartwright, Julie Kavner, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer) had to jump through their vocal hoops like so many performing monkeys, answering questions as their characters and the like. No wonder Julie Kavner left early!

9 of 17 people found this review helpful.
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